Brain, behavior, and immunity
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Oct 2008
Interleukin-1 signaling is required for induction and maintenance of postoperative incisional pain: genetic and pharmacological studies in mice.
Postoperative incisional pain is characterized by persistent acute pain in the area of the cut, and is associated with release of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), which play important hyperalgesic and allodynic roles in various inflammatory conditions. In the present study, we tested the role of IL-1 signaling in postoperative incisional pain using three mouse strains impaired in IL-1 signaling due to deletion of the IL-1 type I receptor on a mixed genetic background (IL-1rKO) or congenic background (IL-1rKOCog), or due to transgenic over-expression of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1raTG). We used the relevant wild-type (WT) mice both as controls for the mutant strains, and for assessing the effects of pharmacological blockade of IL-1-signaling. ⋯ To test the hypothesis that IL-1-signaling is also involved in the maintenance of postoperative pain, WT mice were acutely treated with IL-1ra 24h following the incision, when allodynia was already evident. This treatment reversed the allodynic response throughout the observation period. Together, these findings suggest that IL-1 plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of postoperative incisional pain.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Aug 2008
Controlled Clinical TrialEffect of mindfulness based stress reduction on immune function, quality of life and coping in women newly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.
This investigation used a non-randomized controlled design to evaluate the effect and feasibility of a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) program on immune function, quality of life (QOL), and coping in women recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Early stage breast cancer patients, who did not receive chemotherapy, self-selected into an 8-week MBSR program or into an assessment only, control group. Outcomes were evaluated over time. ⋯ In contrast, breast cancer patients in the Non-MBSR group exhibited continued reductions in NKCA and IFN-gamma production with increased IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 production. Moreover, women enrolled in the MBSR program had reduced cortisol levels, improved QOL, and increased coping effectiveness compared to the Non-MBSR group. In summary, MBSR is a program that is feasible for women recently diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and the results provide preliminary evidence for beneficial effects of MBSR; on immune function, QOL, and coping.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · May 2008
Early-life infection leads to altered BDNF and IL-1beta mRNA expression in rat hippocampus following learning in adulthood.
Neonatal bacterial infection in rats leads to profound hippocampal-dependent memory impairments following a peripheral immune challenge in adulthood. Here, we determined whether neonatal infection plus an immune challenge in adult rats is associated with impaired induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) within the hippocampus (CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus) following fear conditioning. BDNF is well characterized for its critical role in learning and memory. ⋯ However, following conditioning, neonatal infection with E. coli led to decreased BDNF mRNA induction in all regions compared to PBS-treated rats. This decrease in E. coli-treated rats was accompanied by a large increase in IL-1beta mRNA in CA1. Taken together, these data indicate that early infection strongly influences the induction of IL-1beta and BDNF within distinct regions of the hippocampus, which likely contribute to observed memory impairments in adulthood.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Feb 2008
IL-1 beta signaling is required for mechanical allodynia induced by nerve injury and for the ensuing reduction in spinal cord neuronal GRK2.
Many neurotransmitters involved in pain perception transmit signals via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) regulates agonist-induced desensitization and signaling of multiple GPCRs and interacts with downstream molecules with consequences for signaling. In general, low GRK2 levels are associated with increased responses to agonist stimulation of GPCRs. ⋯ Moreover, spinal cord GRK2 expression was not decreased in IL-1R(-/-) mice after L5 SNT. These data show that IL-1 beta signaling is not only required for the development of mechanical allodynia, but also to reduce neuronal GRK2 expression. These results suggest a functional relation between the L5 SNT-induced IL-1 beta-mediated decrease in GRK2 and development of mechanical allodynia.
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Brain Behav. Immun. · Feb 2008
Ultra violet-induced localized inflammatory hyperalgesia in awake rats and the role of sensory and sympathetic innervation of the skin.
Exposure to mid range ultrat violet radiations (UVBs) has been shown to produce systemic inflammation and hyperalgesia in mice [Saadé, N. E., Nasr, I. W., Massaad, C. ⋯ Chemical ablation of capsaicin sensitive afferents and guanethidine injection produced significant alteration of the hyperalgesia and allodynia. The increase in cytokine levels by UVB was also altered by both treatments. The present study describes a new animal model for localized UVB-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia and provides evidence about the involvement of neurogenic mechanisms in the observed hyperalgesia and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators.